21 things you didn’t know you could ask Google on your phone

Using voice commands in public with your Apple Watch, or any other smartwatch for that matter, is never, ever OK. But using voice commands with your smartphone in the privacy of your own home, office or car isn’t just OK, it’s encouraged. Voice commands can help save time and even simplify certain things on your phone, and it also makes using your handset far safer while driving.

Now, on a new page on Google’s site, the company has listed 21 different things you probably didn’t know you could ask Google.

On popular Android phones, the Google app ships on the phone and is even typically accessible using a home button shortcut or by swiping up from the bottom of the display. Meanwhile, on iPhones, the Google app can be downloaded from the App Store for free, and it’s easily one of the most useful apps you’ll find. In fact, I don’t even really use Safari anymore thanks to the Google app.

But the Google app is useful for much more than just performing searches. First and foremost, Google’s brilliant Google Now service is built into the app, providing access to information you need before you even know you need it. On top of that, the app includes plenty of functionality that can be accessed using voice commands.

In an effort to better educate users on all the great functionality in the Google app, the company created a page on its site that lists a number of commands available in the app. In a section dedicated specifically to voice commands, users can learn about 21 different voice commands they likely had no idea existed.

For example, did you know that you can find nearby restaurants with TripAdvisor, figure out what movie to watch with Flixster, see the deal of the day at Walmart or start listening to NPR radio, all just by using special voice commands on your phone?

Most of the tips apply only to Android phones, but there are also a few that work on iOS. For the full list, follow the link below in our source section.